A Minecraft Movie was released last week, and as a longtime Minecraft enthusiast, I had to go see it. My expectations were low after watching the trailers, but I still wanted to give it a chance. And, as it turns out, it wasn’t a movie made for me.
Movies
Those things you watch in cinemas or on TVs.
Flow: Cat’s Fantasy Journey
From director Gints Zilbalodis comes Flow, an animated tale following a cat and the animals it meets as it tries to survive a flash flood. It is an emotional and mysterious journey that demonstrates how to write a story without words.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig
When the murder of an innocent woman sparks political unrest in Tehran, an investigative judge’s life unravels. When his gun goes missing he realises he may face severe consequences and starts to suspect his own daughters. His paranoia hits breaking point and his family ends up suffering for it.
Intercepted, A Film Review
Intercepted is a 2024 documentary written and directed by Oksana Karpovych. The film documents the early stages of the Russian invasion of Ukraine through intercepted phone calls.
Brave New World is a Movie
For Valentine’s Day, Marvel fans got a new MCU installment, Captain America: Brave New World. In this film, a new Captain America investigates a plot to assassinate the now President Ross. But does it successfully pass the shield to Sam Wilson, or does it feel like something else entirely.
Recycled Material Pickers
In Phnom Penh there is a bar known as the Meta House. It’s a good place to get some imported beers, as well as some decent German food. It’s also a German/Cambodian cultural center that runs film nights almost every day, and it’s free to attend.
It’s Always the Woman’s Fault
Recently I attended a movie night at the Belgian Club in Vientiane. This month they have been showing various animated films. Last week they showed Richard Linklater’s Waking Life. This week they showed a Polish film called ‘Chlopi’, or ‘The Peasants’ in English.
Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness
Before they directed King Kong, Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack would create Chang, a “documentary” about the Laos people in Siam. It tells a story of man’s fight against the jungle, and how they were able to tame the elephant herd.
Inspiration of 12 Monkeys
Probably my favourite film of all time is Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys. It’s a fantastic film that explores our perception of time, insanity, and the desperate measures we may go to in order to save mankind.